In 1981 John Denver had a hit song written by Dick Feller called Some Days Are Diamonds. On the contrary the song also says that “some days are stones.”
Later in the song he contemplates –
“Now the face that I see in my mirror
More and more is a stranger to me
More and more I can see there’s a danger
In becoming what I never thought I’d be.
Dreams
When young we all have dreams of what we would someday like to be or would like to accomplish. I can remember how we as students spent hours solving the problems of the world and had dreams of greatness, whatever that may be.
Reality
Yet, at the time we reach midlife, the most difficult part is often to accept the “… becoming what I never thought I’d be.” This is what often fuels the so-called midlife crisis. We actually bemoan the loss of our youthful vigour and dreams and the disparity between our youthful dreams and the present day reality.
We all have to deal with a certain measure of this disparity in our lives. We must remember that the choices that brought us to where we are today were most probably made when we were ignorant teenagers who didn’t know much about life.
What if?
Unfortunately many of us respond negatively to midlife as if something was stolen from us. Yet, we should rather determine how we can redirect our lives. Never dwell in the past which is ruled by “what if?” Remember, to go forward in life;
we must have a positive vision of the future.
Although you cannot turn back the clock, you can change your ways and plan to make the rest of your life the best of your life.
# Rights
This does not only apply to people in midlife. There are youngsters who believe that life owes them because they’ve missed out. They are told they have the right to certain things. So they often take to the streets when they think that “somebody” violated their rights. Somebody else should make their dreams come true.
The same holds true for people reaching retirement age where many also need to deal with a disparity between what they thought it would be and the present day reality they have to deal with.
Realities to accept
No matter what your situation, there are certain realities we need to accept:
- Nobody owes you anything.
- The best helping hand you’ll ever find is at the end of your own arm.
- Forget what is behind; you can only somehow influence the future.
- For people at retirement age, try not so much to retire, but to re-fire – Perhaps not in the same job, but you must have something significant yet to do.
- Entrust your future to God, because He can do what you cannot do.
- Try to figure out God’s purpose for your life;
God was not clueless when He made you.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Eph 2:10)
To determine the best road forward, you need to know yourself. A Career Direct Assessment can help you with that.
Also tune in to my radio program “Jy die Entrepreneur” Monday evenings at 20:00 and Saturdays 12:30 on Radio Namakwaland www.934fm.co.za. 
